Gypsy Moth Spray Update June 1
You are subscribed to receive gypsy moth spray updates. You will receive e-mail updates until all gypsy moth spraying is completed for this year. This is an outgoing mailbox only. Replies to this message will not be received. Contact information is listed below.
Gypsy moth spraying is complete for this week.
COMPLETED SITES: Gypsy moth spraying is complete for this year in Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, La Crosse, Lafayette, Richland, Rock and Vernon Counties.
UPCOMING PLANS
WHAT: Gypsy moth aerial spraying by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
WHEN: June 3, weather permitting.
WHERE: Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, Polk, Rusk, Taylor and Trempealeau Counties. Maps of spray sites are available to view online at http://gypsymoth.wi.gov.
WHY: The spraying is necessary to control the spread of gypsy moth, a destructive and invasive pest that feeds on the leaves of oaks, maples, crabapple, birch and many other species of trees and shrubs.
OTHER DETAILS:
Spraying can start as early as sunrise and will continue until the day’s spray plan is complete and as weather conditions allow. Spraying requires calm winds, high humidity and no precipitation.
The planes will fly low, just above the tree tops. It will be loud.
The planes will apply a biological insecticide:
- Foray 48B is approved for use in certified organic production or food processing by the Organic Materials Review Institute. The insecticide contains Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki or Btk. Btk is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that is poisonous to gypsy moth caterpillars when consumed. Btk breaks down in sunlight within a few days.
The spraying does not affect organic certification.
The insecticide is not toxic to people, bees, animals, birds and plants.
People who are uncomfortable or have allergies may wish to stay indoors or leave the area until the spraying is done. Pets or livestock may be frightened by the noise of the low-flying planes, so keep them indoors or keep a close eye on them.
Feel free to share this information with others.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Spray updates will be available as a recorded message on the toll-free hotline 1-800-642-6684, press 1. You also can get instant updates by connecting with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/widatcp) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/widatcp).
For more information or to view maps of the spray areas, please see the website http://gypsymoth.wi.gov. You can also send an e-mail to gypsymoth@wisconsin.gov.